Ministry gives Health Sciences North go-ahead to build 'learning space'

By the end of next year, Health Sciences North will have a learning centre for medical students.

The Ministry of Health gave the hospital in Sudbury the go-ahead to begin construction on the 28,000 square foot space which will include classrooms, lecture space, workstations and a simulation lab.

Plans for the centre were originally announced in 2011, but HSN has been working with the ministry on ironing out the details.

Viviane Lapointe, speaking for HSN, said the they're in the final stages of planning. The hospital can't give a price tag yet, as the project is getting ready for tender.

"The province...will provide 90 per cent of funding for the construction and so that leaves the local share of ten per cent for hospitals," she said.

HSN will also be responsible for paying for the building's equipment.

Currently, the hospital has its learning space at the Outpatient Centre at the former Memorial hospital.

Construction on the Learners' Centre is not expected to interfere with patient care, and Lapointe said they expect construction to be completed by December2018.